Slim pickings again..

evil eggplantevil eggplant Registered Users Posts: 464 Major grins
edited August 25, 2008 in Wildlife
Greetings from Washoe Valley, Nevada..

Not much to see around here lately. Every now and then we get lucky, but mostly were just sitting around trying to stay hydrated.

Some kind of blackbird, looks a bit like a Brewer's, but it's not. Any ideas?

1blackbird.jpg

A Snipe. My first. This was the best I could do, but I got him, and I suppose that's the important thing :cry

common_snipe.jpg

Some kind of Wren-like bird. He was really, really small..

wren.jpg

Not sure about him either. Time to crack open Sibley's..

1wren2.jpg

No visit to the (quickly evaporating) wetlands is complete without a few of these guys stopping by. Truthfully, the Killdeer is an interesting, beautiful bird. This under-rated bird deserves our respect. It's a shame he's so common. If you had to work to get one of these I'm sure their stock would go way up..

killdeer.jpg

Cheers
___________________________________
"exxxxcellent" -C. Montgomery Burns
__________________________________________________
www.iceninephotography.com

Comments

  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2008
    Nice shots thumb.gif I like the second and last! Very cute little bird that last one.
  • pyrypyry Registered Users Posts: 1,733 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2008
    Good shots for slim pickings! :D

    I'm not familiar with North-American birds, but with a little help I think you've got a vesper sparrow and a western sandpiper. Dunno about the first and I think all three are still juveniles.
    Creativity's hard.

    http://pyryekholm.kuvat.fi/
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2008
    Very nice images. Your first bird looks like a grackle in molt, but I am not sure as to what blackbirds are common in your area. You unidentified small bird is a sparrow for sure, either a savannah or vesper, but the vespers usually have a more defined white eye ring. I'm leaning more toward savannah sparrow. They are common in my area in winter and spring. Your sandpiper is, well, a sandpiper. I am horrible at sandpiper ID. They all look the same to me. :D
  • bhowdybhowdy Registered Users Posts: 658 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2008
    Nice collection Evil
    Okay here's what I get on the bird ID
    Agree with molting Grackle
    Small sparrow is a Song Sparrow
    Sandpiper is a Least Sandpiper (yellow legs)
    ________________

    Bob
    Maryville, TN.

    http://bhowdy.smugmug.com/
  • BillyTomBillyTom Registered Users Posts: 62 Big grins
    edited August 24, 2008
    Cool pics!!

    It looks like #1 is a Brewers - Molting Juv. #3 is a Vesper Sparrow - Worn Adult and #4 is definitely a Juv. Least Sandpiper - but I guess I'm too late (took too long with the Sibley's) ne_nau.gif

    Bill
    Bill James
    www.BillJamesPhotography.com
    Attempting to find beauty in the simple things!! :huh
    Nikon D80 - Nikkor 55-200 4-5.6 VR &
    Nikkor 18-70 3.5-4.5
  • evil eggplantevil eggplant Registered Users Posts: 464 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2008
    Thanks so much for all the information, and for your comments.

    Cheers
    ___________________________________
    "exxxxcellent" -C. Montgomery Burns
    __________________________________________________
    www.iceninephotography.com
  • HarvHarv Registered Users Posts: 1,105 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2008
    Really nice collection here. The killdeer image gets my vote. Very well done.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 25, 2008
    You did pretty well fo those slim pickings. I love to capture killdears, they are a good subject but its difficult to get a good capture of one.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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